12th June, 1998
Dear Kent Bicknell and Everyone,
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Sant Bani School. I can’t believe that 25 years have passed since you first started it with the grace and guidance of Beloved Master Kirpal Singh Ji. I still remember my first visit to your school in 1977, when I came with Beloved Sant Ajaib Singh Ji. Even though at that time it was small in size and the numbers of students, I very clearly remember that I got the feeling that I was at a place which is going to grow manifold in a very short time and will serve the community in a very large and good way.
It has come true, as over all these years many students have passed out from here and have gone to many good colleges and have made their lives. I feel honored to be associated with the school in a very small way. In fact my association with Beloved Sant Ajaib Singh Ji allowed me to participate in the discussions you had with Him all these years about the school. I remember how seriously He would take up and discuss all the school matters with you, whether it was regarding fund raising for the school, or maintaining the discipline at the school, or making additions to the school facilities, or any other matters which come up in the day-to-day running of the school. Even though not many people might know about His involvement in the school, you know that He was very much involved in the school affairs – as much as any of the other dear ones who do so much for the school. I always enjoyed His interest and when I saw His Divine Grace manifesting in the school matters, it strengthened my faith and devotion.
So on this blessed occasion I would like to congratulate all the teachers who have been the backbone of this school. You know that schools play an important role in molding one’s character and personality, and teachers are the guiding force behind a child’s development. If a teacher cannot inspire a student – nobody can; the influence of a teacher on a student is everlasting. Every action, every word and thought of a teacher leaves a lasting impact on the impressionable minds of the students. A teacher is the epitome of all virtues whom the student can look up to for guidance, care and affection. In fact, for the student a teacher is a friend, philosopher and guide, all rolled into one.
I feel privileged to have known many of the teachers of this school, right from the very beginning, and I know how much they have done for the students and the school. Once again I congratulate all the teachers on this blessed occasion. Also I would like to congratulate and thank all those dear ones who have supported this school in the form of providing financial help or physical help; without this the school would not have progressed and grown so much.
I always used to look forward to the graduation each year as it provided me with an opportunity to translate the graduation message from my Beloved Master to the students. I am sorry that this year it is not happening as He has gone back to His Home. But I know that from Sach Khand, the Eternal Home, He is sending all His grace and best wishes to all of you, especially to those students who are graduating this year and are stepping on the threshold of a new phase in their lives. Best wishes to you all from me as well.
Once again congratulations to you all and I wish all the success for Sant Bani School in the coming years. May God Almighty bless each one of you with so much strength and inclination to make this school grow even more, and may the Sant Bani School shine like a star in the sky of this world.
Best Wishes and Love,
Pappu